Sunday, August 21, 2011

The 49ers men's soccer team plays its final exhibition tonight (Sunday), facing North Carolina at 7 p.m. at Transamerica Field.

Charlotte beat Winthrop 2-0 on Wednesday, getting goals from Isaac Cowles and Donnie Smith. Freshman Giuseppe Gentile was impressive, setting up Smith's goal. The 49ers also looked dangerous on set pieces, with Cowles' goal coming off a corner. Evan James also barely missed a header from a direct kick.

The Tar Heels will likely be national-championship contenders, as well as a favorite in the ACC. One of their top players is junior midfielder Enzo Martinez, who's from Rock Hill. Like Charlotte defender Charles Rodriguez, Martinez is on the preseason Hermann Trophy watch list.

Charlotte opens its regular season Saturday at Coastal Carolina; the Tar Heels host UNC Wilmington in their season opener, also on Saturday.

-- The 49ers' women (0-0-1) finish their season-opening road trip today at Jacksonville (the game started at noon). Charlotte tied North Florida on Friday, and had a chance to win it late in the game, but Macky Wingo hit the post. The 49ers play their home opener this coming Friday against Florida Gulf Coast.

-- Former Charlotte softball pitchers Emily Jeffery and Katy Hackett have been playing in the European Cup in Enschede, Netherlands. Jeffery has been pitching for the Afterburners of Belgium, while Hackett has been playing for the Wesseling Vermins of Germany.